Chapter Forty-Four

Royo narrates the group’s fruitless research at Gaya’s Temple of Knowledge: priests know of no one wielding multiple relics, only myths that a single bearer of all relics could become the Dragon Lord or draw the god down, briefly merging and burning out. They learn nothing new about Aeri’s use of the Sands of Time, and a massive bounty has been placed on the group, forcing a quick departure after Mikail refuses to kill the priest likely to report them.

Outside the vow-bound silence, Royo confronts Braya about his father. Braya explains Royo’s father became the keeper of Yusan’s temple decades ago, chosen after bleeding on the altar; to break the vow would have meant death. Royo grapples with the gods’ harsh demands, while Braya frames divine service as costly but immutable.

Braya discreetly directs them through a right-branching tunnel that will surface near Jeul and promises to mislead any royal guard toward Tamneki. Mikail thanks her, and she urges him—calling him Adoros—to give the people something to believe in.

As the group travels through unnaturally bright, grass-lined tunnels, Royo reflects on missed chances to ask about his father and on the audacity of their new objective: Jeul, the old capital. He resolves to protect Aeri, fearing Mikail might spend her power recklessly.

Mikail unveils his plan: use the Water Scepter to inspire the populace, drown Governor Yong, and reclaim his house. When Sora questions the city’s defenses, Mikail cites Quilimar’s note that Gayan troops are massed at the Khitan border, leaving Jeul underdefended. The group presses on, their path set toward a high-stakes bid to seize the city.